Monday, March 31, 2014

Painter shares 5 tools of her trade

Liz Wiley creates beautiful paintings using oils and acrylics. She is sharing five of her favorite tools with us. If you're expecting something obvious like paintbrushes and fixative, you're in for a surprise. And if you're a budding painter, you may want to add these to your art supplies.


Thrifty Trowel  
This is my most used tool. I think it’s traditionally used for tile work. It’s a square piece of plastic that has different designs on each edge. One is smooth and the other three have different spacing notches. I use it to apply, smooth and scrape paint. It's wonderful at applying the paint without leaving brush marks. Tube Wringer
This little tool is great for getting every last drop of paint out of a tube. You pay a lot for that paint. Don’t throw it out because you can’t get it out. They make a plastic one, but I use the heavy duty metal one. It will be the only one you need to buy, because it will last forever. 

Bottles
These little bottles are great for creating thin continuous lines. The tips are closed so you have to cut them to get the paint out. There are also bottles with metal tips. You can get an extremely thin line using these. The secret to using these is that you need to thin the paint so it will come out. I use Liquitex Fluid Medium. Try to limit mixing your acrylic paints with water. Using water will weaken the paint and it may flake right off the canvas. 

Catalyst Tools
I love these tools. They are like a brush only they don’t have a brush head. It’s a flexible silicone.  They are just so different. Almost like a soft palette knife. Think baking spatula. These are amazing at applying paint in a smooth finish. They are also useful for mixing paint. 

Camera (in my case, a cell phone camera)
I know this is a little unusual for a tool, but I find that I use it for every painting. Taking in-progress pictures helps show the evolution of a piece. Looking at the picture on a computer provides a different perspective. I can easily catch things that need to be changed. Reviewing the photos makes any design problems more obvious. I think of it as the modern day mirror. And after you've finished the painting, you have an image ready to post on Etsy so you can start making sales.

Friday, March 28, 2014

Magnolia Tree Paperie's studio playlist

Hello there! My name is Taylor Beam and I am the one behind Magnolia Tree Paperie.

There are a few big things that inspire me: traveling, conversation and music. All of them have a special way of finding their way into my work, but today we’re talking music. One of my favorite things about listening to a variety of artists is hearing their different style. Being an artist myself, it is always so encouraging and inspiring to see and hear how other creatives are expressing and executing new ideas and new creations.

https://play.spotify.com/user/1227798622/playlist/4Mx4M5qyLBppcn9IHzgQcd


So to share this love, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite studio tunes for you guys. Some of these songs are new. Some of them have been inspiring me for years. I hope you all enjoy! Check it out on Spotify here or click on the playlist above to give the list a listen.

With love,
Taylor

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Freshly picked finds for spring

It's official: Spring has arrived. Here are some fresh picks from the Etsy Dallas team to brighten up your world. Now it's time to kick back with a tall glass of iced tea and enjoy the sunshine.





 Hand Painted Floral Folded Greeting Card by Magnolia Tree Paperie


 Dainty Pendant Necklace by estieMade


Handmade Glycerin Soap Green Butterfly by The Pig And The Peacock


Saturday, March 8, 2014

Spring Fever

Spring isn't officially here until March 20, but these Etsy Dallas shops are ready to brighten up your world now. Click the image to browse this lovely treasury.

https://www.etsy.com/treasury/OTAzMDEyMnwyNzIzMjcxNjUz/spring-fever
(Oh, and don't forget to spring forward. Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 9.)

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Calling All Handmade Artists!


Etsy Dallas is looking for the best of the best handmade artists from near and far to showcase in the 6th annual Etsy Dallas Spring Bash. This Spring we will be returning to The Shops at Park Lane. We are offering artists their choice of two spaces of outdoor Bashy fun: Springtime Avenue, a street fair filled with talented handmade artists, and Spring Bash Pavilion, an intimate covered tent area where shoppers can pursue and mingle with even more artists! 


If you think you've got what it takes to help us rock the 6th annual Spring Bash, apply today! Applications are now open until March 14th.  
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